Viella’s POV

I woke up with a groan.

Damn, my head hurts. My brain honestly couldn’t process everything that happened yesterday. It was just too much. I sat up, crossing my legs and resting my chin on my hand as I started thinking back to last night.

[Flashback]

"Does that mean... you know about Alina too?" I asked.

Dante’s smirk faded a bit, and he nodded, irritation flashing across his face.

"Then why didn’t you do anything?" I pressed. "Were you waiting for her to confess, like me?"

Dante let out a small laugh.

"I love doing things my own way. No one should know that better than you... right, Miss Reader?"

I noticed he didn’t call me Viella this time.

"Isn’t it weird," Dante continued, his eyes filled with interest, "how you know everything about me, yet I know nothing about you?"

"Exactly!" I said, trying to stand up. "You know nothing about me, so this wedding can’t happen!"

"Oh, it definitely can happen-and it is happening," he countered. "And no one-I mean absolutely no one-can stop it."

"Fine!" I snapped. "Since I know you so well, I also know that you love challenges and never back down."

Dante raised an eyebrow.

I turned and faced him, straddling his lap so I was right in his space. I leaned closer until I finally saw the tips of his ears turning red.

Got him.

"Now tell me," I murmured, "are you willing to take my challenge?"

His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me firmly against his body.

"Anything for my little wife."

"Uh-huh, not so fast," I teased. "Here it is: You have to find out my real identity within this week-before our wedding. If you do, I’ll marry you willingly. If you don’t... you have to let me go. But you still have to give me your protection."

His expression didn’t change. He simply smirked

"Challenge accepted."

[End of Flashback]

"Oh damn..." I muttered, burying my face in my hands.

I really had some nerve-sitting on his... ahem.

My face burned bright red, probably looking like a cherry right about now.

What was I thinking?!

"What were you thinking?" a voice suddenly asked.

"Ah!" I jolted, nearly tumbling off the edge of the bed in surprise. Before I could hit the floor, Dante’s arms caught me, steadying me with ease.

"When did you come in?" I gasped, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Since the moment you started turning into a bright red cherry tomato," he replied, his voice filled with amusement.

I immediately shut my mouth and looked away, trying to hide my face. He lifted me effortlessly and placed me back in the center of the bed before taking a seat in the chair beside it.

"I’ll be out for a meeting," he said, his tone turning slightly serious. "You better eat, and don’t try anything funny. Remember-I am always watching and listening."

I rolled my eyes at his bossy attitude. "Remember my challenge, too Mr Dante."

He stood up and headed for the door, and I finally started to relax. But then he suddenly stopped. His gaze dropped to my lips, and he turned back, walking toward me.

Uh oh.

I tried to scoot away, but he quickly caged me in against the bed frame, leaning over me.

I stared into his eyes. They really were gorgeous-

Wait, what the heck am I even thinking?!

He leaned closer and closer until I completely stopped breathing. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the worst... or maybe the best?

Suddenly, I felt a soft kiss land on my forehead.

"What?" he teased. "Did you think I was going to kiss your lips?"

He pulled back, his smirk wider than ever. "Don’t worry, I’m a gentleman. Since your lips are already swollen, I won’t do more."

With that, he turned and walked out of the room.

My face burned a deep shade of red again. What the heck?!

"Gentleman, my foot!" I yelled after him. "You’re the reason they’re like that in the first place!"

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

Duhhh. Why am I even blushing?

I cannot be falling for this psycho!

---

Later that day...

I walked around the house freely. For some reason, I’d gotten used to this place lately. None of the maids talked badly about me behind my back anymore. Dante’s old staff used to hate me, but these ones... well, they might just be new.

Honestly, I don’t even want to know what happened to the ones who did talk trash.

As I wandered around, I noticed Alina was nowhere to be found. I asked one of the maids, and she said Alina had taken a sick day off.

Hm. Suspicious.

I didn’t think she’d do something like that-especially after what happened yesterday. She was definitely planning something.

And then it hit me.

Alina doesn’t even have a house of her own in this story. So where could she have gone? Was no one even questioning that? What was Dante even planning by letting her just... disappear like that?

I kept feeling a pair of eyes on me. I glanced around, but I couldn’t see anyone.

They were definitely watching me.

I sat down on the couch, my mind racing.

So, I have a week.

I was pretty sure I’d be free anyway, because there was no way Dante could ever find out my real identity. There was absolutely no way he could discover my world.

My gaze dropped to the ring on my finger.

I should just throw this thing away.

I tried to pull it off, tugging as hard as I could, but nothing worked. It wouldn’t budge at all.

"Duhhh! I hate you! I know you’re listening!" I snapped at the air, completely frustrated.

"Tsk."

I plopped back onto the couch and stared up at the ceiling.

Everything was a mess.

---

I closed my eyes for a bit, but then I felt someone standing way too close to my face, staring at me intensely. Before they could do anything, I grabbed their arm and tried to flip them in self-defense.

To my surprise, the person landed perfectly on their feet.

Huh?

"Lily??!!"

"Yes, my lady. It’s me," she replied, standing there with her usual expressionless face.

"So it was you who kept watching me this whole time?"

She simply nodded.

I let out a long breath and plopped back onto the couch. "I thought you disappeared. Why are you here all of a sudden?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh... I heard about your wedding," she said. "And I missed you. So I’m here."

"So you missed the money, I see," I said, giving her a side-eye.

She nodded again without missing a beat.

"Oh wow. Not even denying it." I shook my head. "Well, it’s a good thing. At least I’m not going to be alone."

"Besides, my lady," she added, already moving to clean her hands as if she’d never left, "I will be your personal maid again."

I nodded, watching her work.

"And your brother sent you this gift," she said, holding out a box.

"I thought you hated him. How come you’re the one delivering his gifts now, hmm?" I teased.

Lily merely rolled her eyes and handed me the box.

I opened it- and froze.

Golden snake skin, wrapped around a snake-shaped bracelet.

My face practically cracked.

Seriously? What else was I even expecting from him, anyway?

I moved to throw it away in pure annoyance, but Lily caught it before it could hit the floor.

Then Lily handed me a small piece of paper. I recognized the handwriting immediately.

It was Lucian’s.

If I find out you threw it away, I will make sure Luciferina visits you next time- not this bracelet, my dear little sister.

- Your favorite brother

"Oh wow. Did I really come to this world just to get threatened by everyone?" I muttered. "Tsk."

Just then, the front doors swung open, and a group of people walked in.

Nonna led the way, with Alina following right behind her.

Huh? I thought she took a sick day?

She definitely didn’t look sick now.

"Ayo, darling! You’re finally awake?" Nonna chirped, looking at me. "Why so soon?"

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was already 1 p.m.

...Okay, maybe not that soon.

"Anyway," Nonna continued cheerfully, "since you’re up, you should see all the dresses I bought for your honeymoon!"

I literally choked on my own spit.

Honeymoon?! We haven’t even had the wedding yet!

"Alina, darling, go put them in Viella’s room," Nonna ordered. Then she turned back to me and winked. "Go on, dear, follow her and let me know if you like them or not. I have to go manage some other work now!"

I nodded as I started following Alina knowing pretty well she’s UpTo something which obviously didn’t took that long.

---

Just as I entered the room, a dagger whistled past my ear.

I dodged just in time, and Lily caught the blade midair with lightning-fast reflexes.

I snatched the dagger from her hand and lunged straight at Alina, slamming her against the wall. The sharp tip hovered dangerously close to her eye.

Instead of screaming, Alina burst out laughing.

"Hahaha. Go ahead. Try it."

"Try what?" I hissed, my hand steady. "Poke your eye out?"

"Yes! Do it!" she screamed, her eyes wide and manic. "I want you to do it. DO IT!"

A shiver of disgust ran through me. I pulled back and hurled the dagger into the floor.

"I’m not a little kitten like you, Alina," I said coldly. "I know you’ve got tricks up your sleeve. And I know it’s useless to kill you. You know that too."

Alina’s face slowly settled into a creepy smile.

"You’re right," she said softly. "It is useless-since I can’t die. Even Dante can’t die."

Then she pointed a finger at my chest.

"But you know who can...? You."

I glanced back.

Lily was standing there, completely unfazed. She met my gaze, walked forward, and picked up the knife from the floor. Without a word, she threw it right back at Alina-the blade grazing her cheek.

"My lady can’t kill you," Lily said with a smirk. "But I can."

My jaw dropped.

This was the first time I had ever seen her smile.

...Oh damn.

"I will explain everything to you later, milady," Lily added, her voice cold.

Alina just kept laughing.

"You two are so funny," she said mockingly. "Aren’t you curious why I’m with Nonna? Because guess what-she’s started liking me."

She tilted her head.

"How? Oh, well... the book is starting to act up again. One by one, everyone will turn."

Her smile widened.

"Dante is going to be mine. Just one week, Viella. Just one week. I’ll make sure your wedding gown is stained red with your own blood."

With that final threat, she turned on her heel and walked out.

I smirked.

That was exactly what I wanted.

"As you said, Dante," I whispered, looking down at the ring on my finger, "Alina sure have some plan awaiting Infront of us."

My work here was done.

I had the proof I needed.

I turned to Lily. "Explain. Now."

---

A few moments later...

"So yes," Lily said quietly, "Lord Dante told me everything from the moment he brought you here. He ordered me to protect you-without letting you find out anything."

She looked down.

"That’s why I said I was only working for him for the money. I’m sorry, my lady. I know you’re not her... but whoever you are, I want to protect you."

For the first time since I woke up in this insane book, I felt like someone was actually on my side.

I didn’t care about the secrets-not even for a second.

I stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, Lily."

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TO BE CONTINUED